Man City ‘to face Chelsea for Josko Gvardiol’ this summer as potential Aymeric Laporte replacement as defender eyes exit
Manchester City are reportedly looking to battle Chelsea for the signing of Josko Gvardiol this summer.
The Premier League champions may need to strengthen their defense amid reports that Aymeric Laporte is keen on a move to Barcelona.
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Gvardiol is already considered one of the best centre-backs in the world
According to Sport, City have identified Gvardiol as the ideal replacement should Laporte move to Camp Nou.
Despite the Spanish giants struggling financially, Xavi has made signing a left centre-back a priority while Laporte has had to battle for a starting spot with Nathan Ake this season.
The former Athletic Bilbao star has only made 15 appearances this season due to injury and form and wants to play somewhere where he is more assured of first-team minutes.
And Pep Guardiola has always maintained that if a player is unhappy they can leave if they want – as Joao Cancelo exemplified in January with his move to Bayern Munich.
A return to Spain pleases Laporte after spending five years in the Premier League as he swapped allegiances to the country from France in 2021.
Losing Laporte would be a blow for Guardiola, having become a major part of a team that has won four Premier League titles.
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Laporte won nine trophies during his time at the Etihad
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Gvardiol is a target for several clubs after impressing for Croatia at the World Cup
But City are in no mood to weaken their squad and have identified Gvardiol as the perfect man to fill Laporte’s boots should he leave.
Chelsea have long been linked with the RB Leipzig star and saw a bid rejected last summer as they retain an interest ahead of the next transfer window.
And a battle for his signature could be in sight, although there could even be interest in the defender from further afield.
Gvardiol has been noted as one of the best centre-backs in the sport after a sensational World Cup campaign with Croatia.
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Gvardiol scored against City in the Champions League
His performances for RB Leipzig have also been electric, while City took a close look at the 21-year-old in the Champions League last month.
It was his equalizer that earned the Bundesliga side a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their European clash against City as he kept Erling Haaland largely quiet.
It remains to be seen how much RB Leipzig would want for Gvardiol as interest continues to grow in the youngster.
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